Supplements in the News

More on Natural Prostate Protection

Published Monday, February 18, 2008

By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (February 14, 2008)—Lycopene—a powerful
antioxidant found in tomatoes—has gained notice for its role in
strengthening the immune system, preventing macular degeneration and
cardiovascular disease, and for fighting cancer. Findings from several
studies suggest that lycopene supplements and eating tomatoes and
tomato-based foods may protect against prostate cancer. Now a new study
suggests that lycopene supplements might slow prostate gland
enlargement and reduce symptoms in men with benign prostate hyperplasia
(BPH).

BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects many
men over 50 years old, causes symptoms ranging from a weak urinary
stream and frequent urination (especially at night), to severe and
painful urinary urges. Although there does not appear to be any
relationship between BPH and prostate cancer, hormonal changes that
occur with aging might contribute to both.

The new study, published in the Journal of Nutrition,
included 37 men between ages 45 and 70 with BPH. They received either a
supplement providing 15 mg of lycopene per day or placebo for six
months. At the end of the study, the men who took lycopene had no
change in the estimated size of their prostate glands. In contrast, the
men who did not take lycopene experienced increasing enlargement of
their prostate glands. Taking lycopene was also associated with greater
improvement in BPH symptoms.

“This study provides early evidence
that lycopene might help men with BPH by slowing the enlargement of the
prostate gland and reducing symptoms,” commented study coauthor
Hans-Konrad Biesalski of the Institute of Biological Chemistry and
Nutrition at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. “For
the majority of men who experience mild symptoms of BPH, eating more
tomatoes and tomato-based foods is a safe and inexpensive way to
possibly modify the course of their condition.”

Lycopene is one
of the reasons that tomatoes have a rich red color. It’s a pigment in
the antioxidant carotenoid family. Small amounts of lycopene are also
found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guava.

Three raw
tomatoes or 1/2 cup of tomato sauce provide about the same amount of
lycopene as the supplements used in this study. People who can’t eat
tomatoes or don’t like them would need to eat 10 ounces of watermelon
or 6 1/2 pink grapefruits to get a similar amount. Men with BPH might
also consider adding soy foods, onions, and garlic to their regular
diets, and getting plenty of exercise to stave off increasing
enlargement and worsening symptoms.

(J Nutr 2008;138:49–53)

Maureen Williams, ND, received her
bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Doctorate
of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She has
a private practice in Quechee, VT, and does extensive work with
traditional herbal medicine in Guatemala and Honduras. Dr. Williams is
a regular contributor to Healthnotes Newswire.